New play aims to inspire youth to ‘know your power,’ protect Tijuana River Valley

A new Kumeyaay play about restoring the Tijuana River Estuary is coming to San Diego’s Spark Studios – created by award-winning sister-duo Mabelle (playwright) and Zulema Reynoso (creative director).

The play, Shuuluk Wechuwvi – Where Lightning Was Born: Guided by Nature – Built by Knowledge & Tradition for Future Generations, is presented by the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation (EAF) and sponsored by the Prebys Foundation and Casa Familiar. 

The story follows Lucky, a disillusioned teen gamer who, guided by his Native veteran uncle and companions Water and Daisy, embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Along the way, he reconnects with his Kumeyaay heritage and embraces his true name, Shuuluk (Lightning), pledging to protect the land and his people’s stories.

“This is a transgenerational story about land, language, connection and an invitation to know your power,” Zulema Reynoso said.

This isn’t the Reynoso sisters’ first play inspired by the environment.

Somos Aire, written by Mabelle and illustrated by Zulema in comic-book style, is a play inspired by the real-world challenges with air quality in San Ysidro.

Performed at El Salon Theatre in June 2024, the borderlands steampunk fairytale follows a young woman returning to her hometown in search of a cure to save her sister and the community.

The play explores San Ysidro’s history with environmental justice and air quality, ultimately telling a story of “homecoming and hope.”

Johnny Bear Contreras, the set designer for the 2024 production, was later approached by the Prebys Foundation to work on a similar play focused on the environmental challenges of the Tijuana Estuary.

Contreras, a Kumeyaay elder, had recently founded the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation alongside executive director Pilialoha Estall; it’s an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Kumeyaay and Indigenous peoples.

Inviting the Reynoso sisters to once again collaborate on the script and an accompanying comic, the sisters and EAF began production on a new play centered on the estuary’s environmental struggles, told through the Kumeyaay’s deep connection to the land.

“As we’re seeing these amazing kinds of decision makers who can make things happen, we want to be a part of that solution,” Estall said. “We want to support those efforts through the lens of community,” 

During production, the team collaborated with researchers from UC San Diego to ensure an accurate portrayal of the Tijuana Estuary’s environmental issues.

Johnny Bear also emphasized incorporating elements of the Kumeyaay creation story, as education is at the heart of the project and it was crucial to center the Kumeyaay perspective.

Like their previous play, this new production will be accompanied by a comic book, helping the educational message extend beyond the stage and reach a wider audience.

“Young people don’t have enough opportunities to really listen to the stories, so there’s a real sense of urgency to capture some of those stories for the purpose of passing them on,” Zulema Reynoso said.

“Indigenous stories aren’t relics. They’re alive, evolving and very deeply relevant.”  

Ultimately, the play and book serve as “a love letter to the land and its people,” according to Estall, inspiring a call to action for environmental stewardship.

With demand already exceeding the original venue’s capacity, organizers have moved the production to Spark Studios to accommodate the growing audience.

The play will have its first public performances on Saturday. The at 1 and 5 p.m. events are free, but space is limited. Reservations are required and available here.

“I just hope (audiences) leave feeling connected, whether to the land, to their own stories or just to the idea that they have a role in shaping the future,” Zulema Reyoso said. 

Highlighting this message, she shared a favorite line from the play that she hopes will especially inspire young people:

“Ripples can create tidal waves. Know your power.”